Grain scourer



Dee. 29, 1942. H. MJQL'SNESS 2,366,486

GRAIN SCOURER Filed Aug. 29,"1939 r s sheets-sheet. 1

gimme/wrm HHHKDN MJULSNEEE I Dec. 29,

1942 H. MJOLSNE'ss 2,306,486

GRAIN Filed Aug. 291959 s sheets-sheet 2 MJULENESS HHHKDN ""4 illloxncnj Patented Dec. 29, 1942 GRAIN sooumsn Haakon Mjolsness, Minneapolis; Minn., assigner y to HaakyManufacturing Company, St; Paul,

Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Applistion August 29, `1939, serial No. 292,421

My invention relates to an improvement in -scourers wherein it is ldesired to provide a simple heretofore, there have been vcertain obj ectionable' features or faults in that the same rare not easily or quickly adjustable, and owing to the fact that a considerable portion of the grain is broken during the scouring operation. These former scourers have also relied on centrifugal force to separate the fuzz, beards and other impurities from the'grain.

It is an objectv of my invention to provide av grain scouring device in which pressure may be -exerted on the grain to cause the same to rotate and rub against the adjacent kernels of grain,

causing a true grain against grain scouring-action, as well as providing an abrasive surface l' made by an indented cylinder, or providing an abrasive surface against which the' kernels of Igrain are rolled in the scouring operation. My

pressure scourer combines the floating cone and va tension or resilient .controlling means which overcomes cracking of the grain while being scoured and which automatically relieves excessive pressure .against the grain.

It is also a feature to provide a oating cone which assures Aa uniform circular apron of grain for `aspiration. Thorough' aspiration is effected by the circumambient method of drawing air through this curtain 'of grain.

It is a purpose of my invention to provide a securing device embodying a cushionally supported vertical cylinder and a relatively movable cylinder surrounding the same. Grain is dropped between the two cylinders and is permitted to leave the scourer through 'a circular passage at the bottom-of the cylinders. The-grain adjacent the cuter rotatable cylinder is comparatively stationary with'the cylinder, whereas, the grain next .to the station-ary cylinder has a tendency to roll. Therefore, thegrain between the inner and cuter cylinders will be rolled to cause a true grain against grain scouring action.

In my grain scourer the scouring chamber is formed by an outer vertical revolving steel cylinder equipped with helically extending flights which are secured to the inner wall of said cyl- (cita- 29x I ing cylinder is4 a central aspirating cylindrical chamber which extends through the fiioating cylinder and the lower end of which is conical to extend to the lower edge of the floating cylinder. This floating cylinder with its inner conical passageway at the bottom and cylindrical at the top is held by link members which support the cylinder in a floating manner co-axial with the outer revolving cylinder, thus providing a narrow cylindrical scouring 'chamber between the outer cylinder and the wall of the inner'floating cylinder between which the grain is directed as it is fed into the scouring machine;

Theoating cylinder is cushionally controlled by spring means which is adjustably mounted above the noating cylinder and attached to the same so that the fioating cylinder is held against rotation by this cushioned adjusting means, but which permits the Icylinder to rotate or twist the necessary amount -against the tension of the spring to relieve any excess pressure on the grain during' the scouring action. If the flow of grain is heavier into the scouring chamber, then the floating cylinder can 'twist or rotate sufliciently to widen the vopening at the bottom Vof 'the scouring; chamber, letting out a greater cylindrical stream of scoured grain and thus automatically regulating '-the operation of the scourer. j

The' volume of grain passing the'lower edge of the "oating cylinderk and the outer rotating cylinder forms a cylindrical stream of grain passing from the scouring chamber, and as this grain passes out of the scouring chamber in this cylindrical form it is aspirated by a draft of air passing through the cylindrical stream and on up through the center of the scourer to provide a very eflicient aspirating means.- I provide a rotatable cone directly below the conical inner surface of' the oating cylinder land as the grain passes from the scouring chamber the vstream of air `vaspirating the same has a'tendency to draw the grain toward this rotating cone, whereas, the centrifugal force of the rotating cone throws the grain outwardly away from the same, thuscausing an even more efficient aspirating of the scoured grain before it is'deposited in the lower chamber of the scourer.

.It is a feature of the present invention .to

lprovide inclined (helical) flights or ribs which engage the grain during rotation of the outer cylinder and tend to force the same toward the lower escape'end of the cylinder. The pressure of the flights or. ribs against the grain in the scouring chamber causes the kernels of grain to rub against each other and against the labrading surface of the floating cylinder, causing a grain -to grain scouring action, removing the fuzz and beards from the kernels Without cracking the same and without removing any portion of the kernel which would depreciate its value for future use.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of this specication:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my grain scourer in readiness for use.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional View through the scourer, illustrating the construction thereof.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2. f

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view on the line 4 4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional View through the outer revolving cylinder removed from the scourer.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view through a portion of the scourer casing, illustrating the manner in which the inner cylinder is supported.

Figure 7 is a detail View of the tension creating device used to place tension or pressure on the grain particles within the scourer.

Figure 8 is an enlarged section, illustrating the manner in which the grain' may escape from the escape passage between the outer rotating cylinder and the inner iioating cylinder.

Figure 9 is a similar cross-'section to Figure 8, showing the outer surface of the floating cylinder formed with an abrasive surface.

The scourer A comprises an outer shell or casing I in the form of a hollow cylindrical member. A second hollow shell Il is held in spaced relation to the rst named shell by means of spacing supports I2. A cylindrical tube I3 of lesser diameter thanthe shells III and II is extended between these shells in 'a manner which will be later described. The lower shell forms the scouring chamber while the upper shell I I forms a settlings chamber for the material removed vby aspiration.

A flange I4 encircles the base of the shell I0 to reinforce this portion of the shell. A bottom partition I is secured within the walls of the shell I0 at a point spaced from the bottom thereof and is held in place by bolts I6 extending therethrough. The bolts I6 are anchored in the inverted cup-shaped socket 'I'I forming a part of the transmission casing I9. Thus the bolts I5 not only hold the base I5 in place but also hold the casing I9 centrally positioned within the shell I0.

A shaft extends through the packing joint 2I and into the transmission within the casing I9. This transmission transforms horizontal rotary movement to vertical rotary movement by any suitable means. The shaft 20 extends through the bearing 22 secured to the shell I0 and is provided with pulleys 23 and 24 on the extending end thereof. The pulley 23 is aligned with a pulley 25 on the fan shaft 26 which Will be later described in detail. A belt 21 connects `the pulleys 23 and 25 and rotates the blower together with the shaft 29. The pulley 24 forms a drive pulley and may be connected by a belt to any suitable source of power supply.

Within the transmission case I9, gears or suitable mechanism changes the direction of the .power so that the Shaft 20 causes rotation of 75 a vertically extending shaft 29. This shaft extends through the floor 39 of the scouring compartment and also extends through a suitable bearing 3l mounted in a spider 32 within the tubular member I3. The top of the scouring compartment is closed by a ring-shaped cover 33 secured to the upper extremity of the shell I0. A hopper 34, the position of which is indicated in dotted outline in Figure 2 of the drawings and which is shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, admits grain into the scouring compartment.

Secured to the hub 35, rotatable with the shaft 29, I provide a spider 36 best illustrated in Figure 4 of .the drawings. This spider is spaced slightly above the, floor 30 and acts to maintain the grain piled upon the floor 30 in motion and gradually directs the grain to the outlet spout or chute 31. At angularly spaced points about the periphery of the 'spider 36, I provide upwardly extending legs or supports 39 which act to support a rotatable hollow cylinder 40. A ring 4I right-'angular inY cross-section, extends within the cylinder 40, providing a ledge upon which grain within the cylinder may rest. A coneshaped deiiector 42 is mounted upon the -shaft 29 just above the spider 36 and acts to urge the grain dropping upon the same outwardly by centrifugal force.

An inner cylinder 43 is spaced a short distance from the outer cylinder 40 and is provided with an indented hardened surface, as illustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings. This surface may be in the form of an abrasive of any suitable material. This cylinder 43 is. provided with rounded outwardly projecting knobs (indents) which create friction between the film of grain and the cylinder. An upper cone 44 is secured peripherally to the lower edge of the inner cylinder 43 and this cone is connected to a cylindrical tubular member 45. Bearings 46 and 41 are mounted within the tubular portion and encircle the shaft 29 to hold the tubular portion 45, the upper cone 44, and the inner cylinder 43, in properly centered relationship. A top closure 49 in the shape of a ring connects the inner cylinder 43 and the tubular member 45 to prevent grain from entering this portion of the scourer.

The inner unit including the inner cylinder 43, the cone 44, tubular member 45, bearings 46 and 4'I, and cover portion 49, is floatingly supported from the top closure 33 of the outer shell I 0 by means of links 50. These spaced links 50 vare pivotally connected by a U-bolt 5I or other suitable means, to the top closure 49 of the inner cylinder 43 and are pivotally supported by eye bolts 52 extending through the top closure 33. I-t will be noted that if the floating cylinder 43 rotates within the casing I0, the links 50 will tend to raise the entire inner unit. This may perhaps be best observed from an examination of Figure 6 of the drawings, wherein in full lines is shown the lowered position of the cylinder 43, whereas, in dotted outline is illustrated a raised'position created by the rotation of the inner cylinder 43 about the shaft 29.

In order to prevent too free rotation of the inner cylinder 43 about the shaft 29, I provide a bracket 53 mounted on the top closure 49 of the floating cylinder 43. I provide an angular bracket 54 on the top closure ring 33 of the housing Ill. A bolt 55 is secured to the bracket 53 and extends freely through the bracket 54, while a spring 56 surrounds the outer end of the bolt 55 and is interposed between the bracket 54 and A:pressing the spring 56. nut 51- any desired degree of tension may be moved. :by the deflector 11 before the air is drawn a nut or nuts -51- adjustably tlueaded upon the rod 155. The direction of ,rotation of the Aouter cylinder 40 is such as. to tend to rotate the inner cylinder 43 when the vertical cylindrical scouring chamber B issubstantially filled with kernels of grain, which compresses the spring 56. Movelment of the inner cylinder-43 tends to move the bracket 53 .away from the bracket 5,4, thus com- By adjustment of the obtained` in the spring 55 and Vthe pressure on the grain between the inner and outer cylinders 4Ilil'and 43, respectively, may be increased or decreased inl a manner which will be later more clearly described.

Asbest illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings.

the inner surface of the outer cylinder 40 is provided with a series of inclinedor helically spaced ribs or flights 59 which tend vto urge the grain toward the bottom of the scouring chamber. A

small space is provided between the cylinders 4I!k and 43 at the bottom of the same to permit some of the grain to escape. cylinder therefore creates a downward pressure on the grain, which in turn tends to rotate the j the tubular member I3 which connects the lower .1. i

scouring chamber with the superimposed settlings chamber. A floor 53 is provided for the settlings chamber and outlet chute 54 communicates therewith to permit the settlings to be removed from the chamber. A top 65 is secured at the upper end of the sleeve II and a central opening in the top 6.5 communicates with a tubular` elbow t5 attached to the entrance opening 61 of the fan chamber 69.

The shaft 2B extends through a bearing 10 in one side wall 1I and a cylindrical fan 12 is secured on the inner end of the shaft 26. A wall 13 parallel the wall 1I contains the entrance opening 61 which has been previously described.

A connecting wall 14 encircles the fan between i the walls 1! and 13 and forms a spiral .or convolute-shaped passage having a discharge opening 15 at the top which is connected with a suitable air duct 16. The air duct 18 may extend into a dust separator or may open into the outer atmosphere.

Within the settlings chamber I provide a substantially spiral-shaped deflector 11 which is secured by the bolt 19 and the nuts 89 to the vertical shaft Z9. illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings and is provided with a circular inlet opening 8| and a peripheral discharge opening 82. The deflector 11 is mounted upon a spider 83 having a series Vof paddles 84 mounted thereon to urge the set- The spiral deilector is best i Rotation of the outer away by the blower .12..y

Air is admitted into. the lower` part of the `scourer-through a series of openings 85 positioned directly below the lower endy of the scouring; chamber, which may best be noted in Figure l. o ffthesdrawings. The air is drawn through the cylin-dricalstreamfof, grain coming from the scouring chamber B, and passes between the lower cone 42v and the upper cone44 into the central .air passage formed by the sleeve 45. From here the air passes upwardly through the sleeve 50, the tubular member I3, and into the deector 11. Air is removed from the settlings Vchamber byA passage through the elbowl 66 and is blown out through f the discharge conduit 16 by means of the fan 12. 1

In operation, grain is introduced into the scouring machine through the hopper 34. This hopper is provided with a regulating gate 86 controlled by a control rod 81.'r The grain iiows into the scourer between `the outer rotating cylinder 40 and the inner substantially stationary cylinder 43. The ribs or nights 59 provide a downward pressure upon the grain, tending to force 'the grain toward the outlet space 98 between the ang-leziron ledge 4I and the reinforcing angle 89 `at the bottom of the upper cone 44. The rotation of the outer cylinder and the downward pressure caused by the ribs 59, cause the grain tjo engage the outer surface of the inner cylinder 43 and-also causes the kernels of grain to rub against Veach other to give a grain to grain scouring action, and tending to rotate the floating cylinder upon excess pressure of the grain in the .scouring cylinder. The frictional contact between the grain and the cylinder is increased. because of the indented surface of the inner cylinder.

Rotation of the inner cylinder is retarded and cushioned by the spring 56 so that considerable pressure may be required to rotate the inner cylinder. When the pressure of the friction between the two cylinders is excessive and overcomes the tension of thek spring 56, the inner cylinder 43rotates to some extent, compressing partially the spring 5 6 and increasing the circularvopenin-g 90` between the angle 4I and the angle 89.l With van increase in the size of the outlet, the pressure on the grain is diminished to some extent and the grain may more quickly pass through the lower portion of the cylinder. The contact of the various kernels of grain upon .one another tendy to scour the surface of each Ato increase the size of the discharge opening sufficiently to permit the pressure to be decreased.

f As the grain falls through the discharge opening 'TII between the angle 4I and the reinforcing angle 8.9 on the cone 44, the lighter particles of grain are drawn inwardly by the circumambient air which has entered the casing through the Vopenings and which is being constantly drawn be- .tween the cones 42 and 44. It will be noted that the heavier particles of grain fall more nearly in a vertical direction than the lighter particles, and that the lighter grainY particles aredrawn ,inwardly .as they fall. The centrifugal force of ,thev rotating outer` cylinder also has this same 'effect on the` grain as the larger heavier particles tend to move outwardly by lcentrifugal force,

while the lighter particles are less affected by this centrifugal force. Thus the portions removed by scouring and any foreign material are readily drawn upward between the cones 42 and 44 and through the center of the machine up into the settlings chamber.` The' grain falling upon the cone 42 is thrown outwardly by centrifugal force and is again placed in the iiow of air entering the separator. If any of the light particles of grain have escaped the air stream while dropping onto the cone 42, they will be picked up by the air and separated from the grain. It is extremely unlikely that any of the particles which should be separated will ever contact the cone 42, however, as the air pressure on all sides of the curtain of grain is identical and as a constant flow of air from all directions is blowing the light particles upwardly.

The scoured grain drops upon the floor 30 of the scouring compartment and is gradually moved toward the discharge spout 31 by means of the spider paddles 36. This spider has a tendency to move the grain outwardly toward the periphery of the shell I where the grain wall fall into the discharge chute 31.

The inner floating cylinder 43' may have its working face covered with an abrasive material of any suitable nature instead of being indented, as shown in Figure 9. A

A primary feature of my scourer resides in the operation of the same wherein the lighter particles, such as fuzz, beards, dust and other foreign particles, are inwardly of the circular curtain of the larger particles, such as the wheat kernels, due to centrifugal force, as they fall from the scouring chamber, and thus the aspirating operation is more eiiicient because unlike old types of scourers it is not necessary to draw the foreign particles through the stream of the kernels of gram.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my grain scourer and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiments thereof, I desire to have it understood that these are only illustrative of a means of carrying out my invention and that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim: Y

l. A grain scourer comprising, a pair of concentric cylinders one within another, means restricting the outlet space between said cylinders at one end thereof, means introducing grain between said cylinders at the other end thereof, means rotating one of said cylinders with respect to the other, means mounting the other of said cylinders for limited rotation, said last named means designed to move said other cylinder longitudinally during said rotation, means retarding said movement of said other cylinder, the friction of grain against said other cylinder tending to rotate said other cylinder in opposition tosaid retarding means.

2. A grain scourer comprising, a pair ofr cylinders one within another, means for swingably supporting one of said cylinders for limited pivotal movement, said last named means moving said one cylinder longitudinally during said pivotal movement, adjustable spring means retarding said pivotal movement, means for rotatably supporting the other of said cylinders, means for rotating said other cylinder, and means restrict-y ascenso increasing said rdischarge opening.

3. A grain scourer comprising, a vertical shaft,

la pair of concentric cylinders supported upon said shaft, one of said cylinders secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, the other of said cylinders 'rotatably secured to said shaft, means supporting said other cylinder for limited ,rotationv said means moving said other cylinder longitudinally along said shaft during rotation, spring means resisting pivotal movement of said other cylinder, means introducing ygrain between said cylinders at one end thereof, means restricting the outlet between said cylinders at the other end thereof, the friction of grain against said other cylinder moving said other cylinder longitudinally in a manner to increase the size of said outlet.

4. A grain scourer comprising, a pair of concentric cylinders one within another, means for supporting one of said cylinders for limiting rotary movement, said last named means moving said cylinder longitudinally during said rotation, means for rotatably mounting the other of said cylinders, means for rotating said other cylinder, a pair of spaced guides beneath said cylinders defining an inlet air passage therebetween, means creating a flow of air in said passage, an outlet between said cylinders above the level of said spaced guides spreading grain past said guides in a curtain, the air owing through said air passage passing through said guides, and means supporting one of said air guiding means rotatably to throw grain outwardly by centrifugal force.

5. A grain scourer comprising a pair of concentric cylinders one within the other, means for rotatably mounting one of said cylinders, link means supporting the other of said cylinders, said link means -swingably supporting said other cylinder so that rotation thereof raises said other cylinder, a restricted opening ,between said cylinders at the bottom thereof, and means retarding rotation of said other cylinder, friction of grain between said cylinders tending to rotate said other cylinder against the tension of said last named means.

6. A grain scourer comprising, a pair of vertical coaxial cylinders one within another, means for rotating one of said cylinders, means restricting the outlet space between said cylinders at the bottom of the same, link means swingably supporting the other of said cylinders for a limited rotation movement, said link means adapted to move said cylinder longitudinally during said limited rotation, and means actuated by an increase in friction of grain against the other of said cylinders to rotate the same, thus raising it to increase said outlet opening.

7. A grain scourer comprising, a pair of coaxial cylinders one wtihin another, means for restricting the outlet space between said cylinders around one end of the same, means for introducing grain between said cylinders at the other end thereof, means urging said grain toward said outlet end, means rotating one of said cylinders with respect to the other, means supporting said other cylinder for limited rotation, said means moving said other cylinder longitudinally during said limited rotation, and means .said outlet opening.

8. A grain scourer comprising a pair of concentric cylinders one within another, means restricting the outlet space between said cylinders at one end thereof, means rotating one of said cylinders, inclined spaced ribs on one of said cylinders urging grain toward said outlet end link, means swingably supporting said other cylinder for a limited rotation movement, said link means adapted to move said other cylinder longitudinally during said limited rotation, and means actuated by an increase in friction of grain against the other of said cylinders to increase said outlet opening by raising said other cylinder.

9. A grain scourer including a scouring chamber into which the grain is introduced and which includes a rotatable outer tubular member which is adapted to force the grain downwardly in said chamber, andan inner tubular member Within said outer tubular member and spaced therefrom having an abrasive surface formed thereon against which the grain is forced, said outer and inner tubular members being substantially circular in cross section, means for swingably supporting said tubular member for limited pivotal movement, said means adapted to move said inner tubular member longitudinally during said limited pivotal movement, resilient adjustable means adapted to cushionally retard the rotation of said inner tubular member and permitting said inner member to rotate to automatically relieve excessive scouring pressure on the grain in said scouring chamber.

10. A grain scourer comprising, a pair of concentric tubular cylinders, one within the other, a restricted outlet between said cylinders at the base thereof, means mounting one of said cylinders for rotation with respect to the other link, means for swingably supporting the inner one of said cylinders for limited rotation, said link means adapted to move said other cylinder longitudinally during said limited rotation,said longitudinal movement vof said other cylinder increasing said outlet opening, and said other cylinder being operable by an increase in friction of grain thereagainst to rotate said other cylinder to increase said outlet opening.

11. A grain scourerV including a pair of concentric cylinders, one Within the other arranged on a substantially vertical axis, a restricted open-V ing between said cylinders at the bottom thereof, means mounting one of said cylinders for rotation with respect to the other, link means swingably supporting said other cylinder for limited rotation, said link means moving the other cylinder longitudinally during said limited rotation, an increase in friction of grain against said other cylinder causing said other cylinder to rotate and raise longitudinally, thus increasing the size of said restricted opening, a resilient retarding means for retarding rotation of said other cylinder, and means for adjusting said resilient means.

HAAKON MJ OLSNESS. 

